Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-02-24
PLATFORM OF LABOR.
Continued from First Pdge.


out of old party organizations, whose in
difference to the public welfare is respon-
siblc for this distress, and help us to organ
ize n new political party, not sectional,
but national, whose members shall be
called COmmOners, whose object shall be TO
repeal all class laws in favor Of the rich,
and to relieve the distress of our industries
by establishing the following
PRINCIPLES:
First. LAND-Every human beiug pos
sesses a natural inalienablc right to suffi-
Gent land for self support, and we desire
to secure to every industrious citizen a
home, az the highest result OF free %institu-
tons To this end, We demand a gradua-
ted land tax on all large estates, especially
those held for speculative or tenant pur-
poses; the reclamation Of all unearned land
grants; the immediate opening of Okla
hOna to homestead settlement the purchase
of all unoccupied Indian lands, and the
settlement of the various tribes upon land
in severalty; also laws preventing corpora
tons from acquiring real estate beyond
the requirements of their business and
ownership of land. The system of irriga-
ton in States and Territories where neces-
sary, shall be under such public control as
shall secure the free and equitable use of
the waters and franchise to the people.
Second. TranspOrtatiOn-The means of
communication and transportation should
be owned or controlled by people as is TIE
United States postal system, and equitable
ataa aparpurhara aaNalIiahaI
Third
MONEY.
The establishment of a national monetary
system in the interest Of the producer in
stead OF the consumer and usnrer by
which a circulating medium in neces-
sary quantity and full legal tender
shall he issued directly TO the
people without the intervention of banks,
OF loaned to citizens upon ample security
at a low rate Of interest, To relieve from
the extOrtiOns of usury and enable them
to control the money supply. Postal cav
ings banks should be established. While
We have free coinage of gold we should
have free coinage OF silver. We demand
the prompt payment of the national debt,
and condemn the further issue OF interest
bearing bonds, either by the National Gov
eminent or by States, Territories, counties
or municipalities.
Fourth
LABOR.
Arbitration should take the place Of
strikes, and other injurious methods #
settling labor disputes. The letting OF
convict labor To contractors should be pro-
hibited, the contract system be abolished in
public works, the hours of labor in indus
trisl establishments be reduced, eommensn-
rate with the increase Of production on
labor-saving machinery; employees DO
protected from bodily injury; equal pay
being given for equal work for both
sexes and labor, agricultural and cooper
alive associations be fostered and incorpor-
ated by law. The foundation ola republic
is the intelligence Of its citizens and chill
dren who are driven into workshops, mines
and factories are deprived Of education.
which should be secured to all by proper
legislation. We desire to see labor organ
izations extend throughout all civilized
countries until it shall be impossible for
despots to array the w~orkingmen of one
country in wal against their brethren of
another country.
Fifth
SOLDIERS n SAILORS
In appreciation Of the services OF United
States soldiers and sailors We deem for
them justice before charity. The pur-
posely deprecated money paid them dur
ing the war, should be made equal in
value to the gold paid the bondholders.
The soldier was promised to he paid in
coin or its equivalent aud paid in depre-
ciated paper. The b~ondholders loaned
the Government deprecated paper, and
contracted to take it hack, but was paid in
gold.
Sixth
INCOME TAX
A graduated income tax Is the most suit
able system Of taxation, placing the burden
Of government on those who can best az